Katrina Coleman, National Vice President of the Transportation Communications Union/International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (TCU/IAM), was appointed to the AFL-CIO Executive Council, according to a March 12 announcement.
The appointment places Coleman among the federation’s two top officers and 55 vice presidents who represent nearly 15 million members. The AFL-CIO Executive Council is responsible for guiding the work of the federation, with all officer responsibilities outlined in its constitution.
Coleman has spent almost four decades in the labor movement, focusing on advocacy, organizing, and supporting TCU/IAM members. She was elected National Vice President by the TCU/IAM Executive Council effective March 1, 2026. IAM International President Brian Bryant said, “Congratulations to Sister Coleman on this well-deserved honor. Katrina’s election as National Vice President is a testament to the strength she has shown throughout her career. She has been a strong advocate for our members. Her appointment to the AFL-CIO Executive Council is a moment of great pride not just for TCU/IAM, but for the entire labor movement. I am honored to welcome her to the Council. She will bring that same fierce dedication to every room she enters.”
Coleman began her union involvement in 1986 as an Amtrak clerk in Philadelphia and went on to hold various leadership roles at local, regional, and national levels. In 2014, she became Local Chairperson of TCU/IAM Local 1351 until late 2022. She also served as Assistant National Representative and later National Representative for TCU/IAM Unit 86, supporting Amtrak and SEPTA lodges.
In addition to these roles, Coleman founded FIERCE—the union’s Women’s Committee—in 2022 to address issues facing Local Chairwomen and promote community outreach. She has also contributed as a mentor through the Education Committee by training new Local Chairpersons.
